Motorcycle



June 16, 1942.

A. RONNING MOTORCYCLE 2 Sheng-sheet 1 Filed March 2, 1959 [mlm IH ldw EN |NVENTOR ADUL PH /Qo/v/v//VG ATTO RN EY June 16,1942. ARONNI'NG v MOTORCYCLE 2 sheets-sheet 2 Filed March 2, 1939 ATTORNEY:

Patented June 16, 1942 UNITED STATES i 'Pari-:NTv orrlce 2,286,575 i v n Application March 2, 1939, Serial No. 259,361

11 claims. (01.180-13) This invention relates to improvements in vehicles of the motorcycle type.

The ordinary motorcycle has numerous advantages ovr other types of motor vehicles, chief of which is its lightness, compactness and extreme maneuverability. However, there are olfsetting disadvantages, particularly as regards lack of suilicient traction, tendency toward lateral skidding and rough riding characteristics over a rough terrain,- which-being well recognized have somewhat limited use of this otherwise desirable vehicle.

'I'he primary object of my invention therefore is to overcome the foregoing disadvantages -by .provision of a motorcycle having increased traction, better road gripping surface, and with adequate spring suspension for -the wheels so that a safe, comfortable and efllcient vehicle willbe.

possible.

Another object is to provide a motorcycle which, contrary to usual practice, has four wheels arranged in closely spaced pairs lat front and f `improved motorcycle construction including novel and advantageous features of frame design, engine or motor construction and support, control mechanism, and other features which will appear hereinafter. l

'I'hese and other morev detailed and speciflc objects will be disclosed in the courseof the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a side-view of the motorcycle of my invention, parts yof the frame and drive mechanism being s hown in longitudinal vertical section, and the front and rear wheels in the obverse side being removed to better disclose the con-l struction.

Fig. 2 is a plan view, the rear wheels and rear wheels are power driven by an engine or drive mechanism -being shown in horizontalcross section and the lrear fender being removed except -at a rear portion, also shown in section.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view through the lower portion ofthe front wheel supporting mem-bers, showing one half of the housing of the front wheel equalizing mechanism and associated parts.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, horizontal section along the line 4-4 in Fig. 1, the front wheels being removed from their spindles.

Fig. 5 is a detail plan view, partially in section, of the equalizing mechanism for the rear wheels. y

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but looking at the opposite side .portion of the housing.

Fig. '7 is an emerged' side elevation of the trol pedal locking means.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, vertical. and longitudinal section through clutch and brake portions of the power plant for the motorcycle.

Fig. 9 is a cross section along the line 8---9y inFlg. 8.

Referring now with more particularity and by reference charactersto` the drawings, A designates generally the motorcycle frame, B- B' the front wheels and C-C the rear wheels. The

power plant designated generally at D.

The frame A consists essentially of a fore and aft assembly terminating forwardly in an upwardly inclined tubular member I0 secured to which is a coupling Il through which the front wheel steering and supporting post I2 is journaled. This post I2, which Omay be either of tubular or -solid construction, carries thefront fender I3 and a block I4 supporting the fender is rig'idlysecured to the post to bear upwardly against a thrust bearing I5. The handle `bars I6 are connected to the upper end of the steering post by a coupling I1 retained in place by a tapered pin I8 fitting tangentially across a notched portion of the post in the manner clearly shown in Fig. 1, and which may be drawn up tight by a nut (not shown) screwed on its exposed smaller end. By swinging the handle bars I6 the steering post maybe oscillated about its lupwardly and rearwardly inclined axis for steering purposes, as will be readily understood.

To the lower end-of the steering post is affixed the equalizing mechanism, designated generally at E, and which forms the actual connection to the transversely and closely spaced front wheels B-B. In the form here shown this mechanism E Aincludes laterally and oppositely extended` spindles I9 upon `which' the wheels are mounted, and which are extended from the rear ends of crank arms 20 fandll disposed at opposite sides of a housing 22 and journaled at their frontal ends therein by coaxial stub shafts 23 and 24 operating in anti-friction bearings '25. This housing -22 comprises two complementary side portions 26 and 21 joined -along a-medial and vertical plane and secured lower end of the steering post l2 and" clamped.

thereon by bolts 3| in such positionthat `the wheels B-B' carried by the crank arms 20 and 2| will be properly aligned for straightahead travel in the.central position of the handle bars I6, asy shown. The spindles I3 slope outwardly and laterally somewhat in order to give a proper camber to the front wheels B--B' as indicated in Fig. 2.

'I'he inner ends of the stub shafts 23 and 24 are connected to bevel gear segments or sections 32 and 33, respectively, and these segments are operatively connected by anintermediate bevel gear pinion 34 which has its stub shaft 35 journaled in a'bearing recess 36 formed in the housing 22.

It will be understood that the weight of the course occur as either wheel meets an unevenl section of ground. Theweight will meanwhile be evenly and constantly distributed and equalized between the wheels.

It may be noted at this point that the equalizing assembly thus far described is similar in construction and operationy to that shown in my copending application for patent Serial No. 244,019, filed December 5, 1938, now Patent 2,208,601, issued July 23, 1940, for Steerable ve- 'hicle truck, and reference may be had to this application for comparative purposes.

There is of course a limit to the' vertical ad-` justments of the parts, and to prevent undesirable shocks `and jars when the parts reach their limit of movement, in travel over very rough ground, I provide one gear segment, as 32, with Y will be absorbed by the springs 48 and 49 to prevent them from reaching the frame of the machine. The overlapping configuration of the members 43-45 at their arcuate outer portions retain the springs in place therebetween while permitting complete, yieldably resisted, freedom of movement of the parts, as will be readily evident.

The trailing position of the crank arms `2|) and 2|, from their points of attachment to th'ehousing 22 to their wheel supporting ends, together with the described inclination of the steering post |2, provides for proper and easy steering, and the steering action is further facilitated by the camber of the wheels and 'the fact that the wheels maivntainthis4 camber and their same relative positions as they adjust themselves to the ground over which they travel. At no time does there occur any lateral shifting of the wheels as they rise and fall such as would resist steering movement by frictional resistance on the ground.

The .rear wheels C-C are power driven from the engine D: through the medlumof a. propeller shaft 52 extending rearwardly and entering a differential or gear housing 53 forming'a part -of the frame A.' This housing` 53 includes coaxial,

opposltely and laterally extended, bearing necks 54 and 55, open at both inner and outervends, and the wheels are carried by crank acting members 56 and 51 which take the form of housings having at their forward ends the inwardly turned a radial extension 31 which carries oppositely disposed resilient bumpers or buffers 38v adapted to contact stop lugs 39 and 401 cast in the housing portion 26 at positions corresponding tothe upper and lower extremes of movement of the m segment extension.

To cushion the frame of the machine against now to be described. As shown in Fig. 4, one gear segment, the one 32 carrying the aforesaid buffer elements, is rigidly splined atl-I. on vits bearing collars 58 and 59 by which they are pivotally mounted upon and, over the aforesaid necks 54 and 65 to oscillate about the transverse .axis of said necks. The flanged innerv ends o f the collars 58 and 59 are engaged by clamprings- 6U releasably secured or screwed on the housing 53- to prevent endwise or outward disengagement of the bearing parts.

At rearwardly spaced'pcints (with respect to their connection with the gear housing 53) the members .56 and 51 carry lthe Wheelmounting spindles 6| and 62 upon the outer ends of which the wheels C-C' are rigidly affixed. It Vwill be noted thatthe/disks 63 of the wheels are dished or convexed outwardly to provide inner conca'vities within which the supporting members 56 and 51 may be'located.andj0perated, to thus reduce the overall, wldth'ofrth'e assembly;V

` co road shocks I provide 'a spring suspension means `and' secured to a transversely Aextended drive shaft 66.`H 'I'his shaft 66 extends outwardly and eoaxially through the bearing necks 54 and 55 andF at its outer ends, 'within the frontal portions of lthe members 56 and 5,1, carries spur pinions 61 is provided by an arm member l|13 which is keyed at 44 to the extremeinner end of the stubshaft and extends radially alongside an extension 45 of said segment. Outer arcuate portions 46-41 cessed to receive therebetween a pair lof expan and'68, Large spur gears-69 and 10 carried on Athe wheel mounting spindleshafts 6| and 62' mesh with these pinions'61 and 68' and the drive is thus transmitted from the propeller shaft to the rear wheels.

The construction of the members 56 and 51 is such that all parts therein are fully enclosed and`protected from dust andV other foreign matter and all operating parts in these members and in the housing 53 may run in an oil bath for` 62 and the shafts 52 and 66 and the housings are of course designed for proper casting and assembly, as clearlyshown.

The collars 58 and 59 carry depended, radially extended and rigidly affixed equalizing arms 1| (only one of which is shown) and at their lower ends these arms -are pivotally connected to forwardly extending equalizing rods 12 and 13 which, at their forward ends, are pivotally connected to a cross member or head 14. This member fits slidably into a tubular housing 15, secured beneath the frame forwardly of the rear wheel assembly, and has a rounded medial portion l16 having a fulcrum bearing upon a block 11 slidably mounted in housing 15. This block is braced against an expansion coil spring 18 in the housing and the forwardly directed tension of the spring may be adjusted by the screw 19. The ends of the cross member 14 play freely in diametrically opposed slots 80 in the frontal portion of the housing 15.

The foregoing arrangement is such that the weight of the rear portion of the machine is transmitted through the members 56 andy 51 to the rear wheels C-JC, and either wheel may adjust itself in a vertical plane in accordance with irregularities in the ground over which it travels.

Such movement will, through the differential action of the rods 12 and 13, be transmitted and translated in an opposite direction to the other Wheel, causing a constant equalization of weight upon the wheels. Road shocks will be absorbed by action of the spring 18 and prevented from reaching the frame,

This differential action of the wheels will have no effect on the transmission of power thereto since the drive pinions .61 and 68 operate on the same axis as that about which the differen-a tial upward and downward movement takes place. The drive gears may thus maintain driving and meshing engagement under all conditions. The connection between the propeller shaft 52 and the transverse drive shaft (or shafts) 66 may be direct through gears or through a differential gear mechanism, indicated at 8|, as may be desired.

Several outstanding advantages in the foregoing construction, over the conventional two wheeled type of motorcycle, immediately present themselves. Chief of these is the fact that the effective traction and road engaging surfaces are doubled. This provides increased power` and greatly reduces skidding tendencies. The differential equalizing action between front and rear pairs of wheels reduces vertical displacement as the machine travels over rough ground and, together with the spring shock absorption means,` makes for a much more comfortable riding. This effect, however, is not obtained at thev expense of maneuverability and the machine will be extremely flexible in operation. Due to the increased traction, resistance to skidding and cornfortable travel over rough terrain the machine housing 53.

by screws 96 through its flanged lforward end 91 tion thus is of extreme importance and is, in fact, the factor making possible the use of the four wheel suspension with resulting increase in traction and safety,` and comfort in riding. During such tilting or banking action the frame and all wheels assume a leaning position from the vertical but the relative spacing between wheels remain the same, all wheels maintain constant contact with the ground, and the wheels may still additionally adjust themselves in vertical planes as they severally encounter irregularities in the surface over which they travel.

The frame assembly A and power. plant D are also of novel and advantageous construction, as will now be described.

The power plant D may embody any conventional and effective type of engine or prime mover including an upper cylinder and piston assembly 83 and lower crankcase assembly 84 in which the power actuated crankshaft 85 may be located in horizontally and longitudinally extended position, and in which also is located a starter represented diagrammatically at |5|. The

Forwardly of `the power unit is a pressed .steelV frame base member 88 which is secured at its flanged rear e-nd 89 by screws 90 to the frontal end of the crankcase 84. The forward end of the base member 88 is turned upwardly and provided with a socket 9| for the reception of the lower rear extremity of the forward frame member I0 which is rigidly secured in' said socket. Rearwardly of the power unit a, tubular propeller shaft housing 92 is secured by screws 93 through its flanged front and rear ends 94 to the rear end of the crankcase and to the frontal end of the A tail piece 95 is similarly secured to the rear of this housing,53, and extends rearwardly between and beyond the rear wheels C-C. lower portion at 99 to the end of this tail piece 95 and extends forwardly and upwardly over the rear wheels to the upper portion of the power unit housing 86 where it is secured at |00.

An engine casing or hood |0| is secured t0 the frontal portion of the fender 98 and to the crankcase 84 to enclose and protect the engine and has an inlet opening or louvers |02. This casing forms a rest for the drivers seat |03 will be of particular advantage in ordinance work manipulating such machines. The equalizing ac- 75 which is supported atop the casing upon a sponge rubber base |04 secured to both seat and casing by bolts |05 vulcanized in the base.

The rear fender is hollow or chambered as indicated at |06 to serve as a fuel tank and has the removable ller cap |01. Lighting equipment and license may also be carried on the tail of the fender as indicated at |08.

The foregoing frame construction is simple, inexpensive and extremely rigid as will be apparent. The lower parts of the power plant are incorporated as integral parts of the frame, thus further simplifying the construction and lowering the center of gravity to add to the safety and maneuverability of the machine. The center of gravity (longitudinally) is further' lowered by virtue of the fact that the driving parts, including the propeller shaft and drive means therefor, are all located well below the axes of the wheels as shJWn best in Fig. 1.

The frame base member 88includes a rigidly The rear fender 98 is secured at its rear 4 aasatvs ribbed central portion |03 and the laterally and horizontally turned foot boards ||0, thesurfaces front wheels, as will be evident.

The clutch and brake mechanism 61 includes an outer drum having a hub ||2 at its rear end keyed at ||3 tothe forwardly extended end of thepropeller shaft 52.` The driven rotor member 4 is provided also with a hub ||5 keyed at I6 to the rear end of the crankshaft 35 and has a pilot bearing ||1 for said propeller shaft. Forwardly of this rotor the drum is closed bythe plate ||3 with a running seal ||9 around the hub and the space within the slidable operating plate |20 carries pins |2|` extended slidably through apertures |22 in the rear end of the drum and at their inner ends these pins carry the segment-shaped plates |23 which operate within cell-like spaces |24 formed within the druml and rotor. The clutch operates upon the impact principle, and as the operating plate |20 isvurged forwardly the clutch is engaged andvice versa. This operation is carried out by a fork |25 engaging a grooved portion |26 of the operating lplate and supported upon a 5. shaft |21 for swinging movement toadjust said plate forwardly and rearwardly.` Outwardly of the housing 86 a lever |28 is secured to this shaft v |21 for manipulating the fork.;

A` brake band |23 is placed around the periphery of the drum and has lugs |30 -at its parted ends with cam engagement with the actuating estn blocks |3| on the shaft |32'so that, as l this brake pedal |34 actuates a countershaft |31 which in turn carries `a lever l|33 connected by a link |33 to lever |33 so that the brakes may be applied by pressing forwardly on the pedal. In

similar manner theclutch pedal |35 actuates a countershaft |40 carrying a lever |4|` connected by link |42 to the lever |23 sov that forward 55 motion of the pedal will move the clutch from engaged to disengaged position.

Both pedals |34 and |35 Iare provided with means for releasably locking them in depressed 'or voperated condition. A

shown in Fig. '1, wherein the arm |43 is connect- This. is mostl clearly ed to eitherf pedal to move forwardly therewith.

This arm also serves as a part of the linkage m' I connecting each :pedal to its associated countershaft |31 or |40."A cross pin |45is rigidly supported inthe frame member |09 in the path of a latch |46 on each of the arms -,|43 and so that the hooked end of the latch may 'ride up on the pin as either pedal is pushed forward and dropv v over the pin to lock the pedal in this position. During this action the latchipivots at |41 on the armand at the same time a freely pivoted trigger |43 on each latch' will drop behind the cross pin. To release the pedal it is pushed forwardly until the trigger drops ahead of the cross pin.

5 position.

The forwardly and upwardlyturned ends of the foot boards serve as additional mudguards for the against the stop. |43 on the hooked end of the latch. after which thistrigger will cam the forward end of the latch upwardly` and rearwardly over the cross pin as the pedal returns to neutral The brakes may then be set'an'd the clutch disengaged when the -machine is lleft standing, and the pedals may be readily returned to neutral position when desired. A stop |50 on each of the latches |46 prevents them from dropping out of proper alignment with the cross pin |45. Each pedal may be provided in any convenient manner with a spring (not shown) for returning it to normal position when the latch is released.

1s It is understood that suitable modifications vention; what I claim 'to bey new and desire to drum may be filled with the hydraulic uid. The l protect by Letters Patent is:

l. Arnotorcycle comprising a transversely tilt- I able manually balanced frame, front andrearv pairs of independently rotatable wheels supporting the frame and tiltable therewith, and means producing differential vertical adjustments of the respective wheels of each front and rear pair as the motorcycle is tilted to either side.

2. A motorcycle comprising va transversely tiltable frame supported horwardly 'by a pair of transversely spaced. independently rotatable steerable front wheels, wheel means -supporting the rear ofthe frame and tiltable with it, and differentially operating mechanism connected to the wheels of said pairand so .constructed and arranged that the motorcycle may be tilted to a widel angle from the ,vertical toward'either side while thewheels maintain uniform-ground contact.

3. A ,motorcycle comprisingV a frame, a pair of transversely spaced. steerable -front wheels. each rotatable independently of the other, a'pair of transversely spacedrear wheels, a motor, driving connections from the motorto both o'f the *rear wheels and diiferentially'operating mechanisxn connected to the respective wheels of each front andrear pair and so constructed and arranged that the motorcycle frame and wheels may b e tilted to anjangle from the vertical to-y 50 ward either side while maintaining ground en-v gagementof all of th'eWheels. v

f4. A four wheeledmi'otorcycle, comprising a transversely tiltable frame, a pair of front wheels and apair nf rear' wheels allindependently rotatable whileysupporting the frame and tiltable therewith, the wheels of each front 4and rear pair being arranged in closely spacedtransverse alignment, anddiiierential means connectingthe wheels andJx-'ame wherebythe wheels eo on'either side will move upwardly with respect to the frame. while the wheels on the other side move relatively downwardly an equal amount. to therebyv enable the motorcycle to be tilted to either side while maintaining both wheels 'of each 6'5 Pair inground contact.

.5. A wheeled vehicle of the transversely tiltable type balanced and guided by an operator thereon. comprising a frame, front and rear pairs of wheels supporting'` theft-frame, the wheels of 0 each front and rear pair belngnormally transarranged that the frame and wheels may-'be tilted transversely while. the wheels adjust themand maintain constant ground engagement.

selves-vertically to equalize weight distribution 6. AA motorcycle comprising a frame, front and lrear pairs of independently rotatable wheels supporting the frame, equalizng mechanism operatively arranged between the Wheels of each pair and connecting the said frame and wheels in a manner causing the wheels to vertically adjust themselves and maintain ground engagement as the motorcycle is tilted from side to side or travels over irregular ground surfaces, -a'motor mounted on the frame, and diiferential p'ower transmission means connecting the motor to the Wheels of one of said pairs. Y

7. A motorcycle comprising, a transversely tiltable frame, front and rear pairs of wheels supporting the frame, means supported by thel wheels and diierentially vconnected with the frame for verticallyadju'sting the wheels relaside, a power unit carried bythe frame, and drive connecting the rear wheels and said drive means vfor propelling the said wheels. l5

. 12. A four wheeled motorcycle comprising front and rear pairs of supporting wheels, the

'said wheels of each pair being transversely tive to each other as said frame is tilted to either connections between the power unit and one i pair of wheels for differentially driving the wheels sponsive tol tilting and guiding movement of the frame, and means cushioning the frame with yrespect toone pair of said wheels.

9. In a motorcycle, a pair of transversely spaced steerable front wheels, and a similarly spaced pair of power actuated rear wheels, a frame extended between and supported 'by the wheels, vertically movable crank members supported by the wheels and oscillatably connected to the frame, "and diierential mechanism connecting the said crank members of each pair of 'wheels fortranslating upward movement of the -wheels on one side of the frame into an equal-but opposite movement of the wheels at the other side, the said mechanism being scr constructed and arranged that the diierential movement of the wheels may occur as the motorcycle is tilted to either side for balancing purposes, andin such manner that all wheels will maintain ground engagement during such tilting operation.

10. In a motorcycle, a pair of transversely spaced steerable front wheels, and a similarly spaced pair of power actuated rear wheels, a frame extended between the wheels, vertically movable crank members supported by the wheels and:osci1latably connected to the frame, and differential mechanism connecting the -said crank members of each pair of wheels for translating upward movement of the wheels on one side of the frame into an equal but opposite` movement of the' wheelsat the other side, power actuated driving vmeans-for the rear wheels comprising gears secured to said wheels, and drive pinions meshing with said gears and operating on axes coinciding with the axis about which the said crank members of the rear wheels oscillate.

1l. A four ,wheeled motorcycle comprising, a pair of closely spaced and transversely aligned steerable front wheels, a similar pair of rear traction wheels, a frame extended between the respective wheels of the front and rear pairs, crank members supported by the wheels and osspaced, aframe comprising a forwardly located and. rearwardly inclined steerable member extended between the front pair of Wheels, the said frame also including a tail portion extended -rearwardly between ,the rear wheels, diierentially connectedcrank members supported by the front wheels and connected to the steerable member of the frame for oscillation at their wheel supported ends in central planes, crank members supported by the rear wheels and oscillatably connected to the tail portion of the frame for movement in vertical planes, and differentially operating connecting means extended between the rear wheel supporting crank members and the frame.

13. In a four wheeled motorcycle, a pair of front wheels and a pair' of rear traction wheels arranged with the wheels of each pair in transversely spaced relation, a frame including a forwardly located steerable member extended between the front wheels and forwardly of the axes thereof, a differentially operating mechanism on Y the steerable member and including oppositely movable crank members arranged in trailing position and supported at their free` ends by the wheels, the said frame also including a rear portion extended between thetraction wheels and a transmission' housing located in the rear portion forwardly of and below the axesof said .tractionV wheels, differentially and oppositely movable crank acting members oscillatably connected'with the transmission housing and supported at their rear ends by the traction wheels, and power actuated means in saidhousing for propelling the said traction wheels in'any adjusted position thereof.

' 14.' A motorcycle comprising a transversely tiltable frame disposed in a fore and' aft extend- V`ing vertical plane and adapted to be balanced by an operator mounted thereon, va wheeled steering unit supporting kthe front end of the frame and controlled by said operator, a pair of power driven wheels supporting the rear end of the frame one at each side of the frame and in parallelism with the said plane thereof, a motor connected to operate both of said wheels, and differentially acting means connecting the saiddriven wheels to the frame in a manner causingl them to move in opposite vertical directions while maintaining them in parallelismwith the plane of the frame.

15. A; motorcycle comprising a transversely tiltable frame disposed in a fore and aft extending vertical plane and adapted to be balanced lby an operator mounted thereon, a wheeled steering unit supporting the front end of the frame and controlled by said operator, a drive unit supporting the rear end of the frame and-l including at least one motor driven' ground wheel, said steering unit including a mounting member steerable about a generally upright axis,

a pair of ground wheels disposed at oppositesides of said axis, and diierentially acting means connecting said ground wheels to said mounting member in a manner causing the ground wheels to move in opposite vertical directions, in response to ground irregularities and/or transverse of the operator on said station for oscillating the .is tilted.

steering column, a. mounting member secured to the steering column so as tobe oscillated there-vwith, and differential acting means connecting the wheels to the -mounting member in a manner causing the wheels to move in opposite directions .z5-of the other crank.

parallel with the steering column when the frame 17. VIn a motorcycle, la. longitudinally extendling transversely tiltable frame, powered traction means supporting the -rear 4end 'ofpthe frame, a pair of transversely spaced wheels for supporting the front end ofthe frame, a steering column mounted in the' frax'neA and extending down between` the wheels of (said pair, an operators station on' the frame, means disposedwithin reach of the operator on said station for Voscillating the steering column, a mounting member secured to the steering column so as Ato be oscillated therewith, and differential acting means connecting the wheels tothe mounting member in a manner Vcausingthe wheels" to move in oppositel directions parallel with thesteering columnvwhen the frame is tilted, said differential acting means comprising a pair of cranks journaled inthe mounting member and supported at their outer endsA in the wheels, for movement in transversely spacedV planes, and means connecting the cranks for translating a movement ofi' one crank into' a relatively opposite movement ADOLPH BONN-ING. 

